MICROBIAL QUALITY OF CULLED CHICKEN LAYERS IN PENANG, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Aim: To determine the microbial quality of culled chicken layers in Penang, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: Samples were obtained from three layer farms (designated as Farm A, Farm B and Farm C). Atotal of 67 culled chicken layer samples consisting of egg wash water, chicken carcass rinse, drinking water, cloaca swab, feed and faeces were examined for enterobacteriaceae, total and faecal coliforms, and using the procedures in the bacteriological analytical manual. Results: The total plate count for bacteria ranged from 2.7 × 103 cfuml-1 to 1.8 × 10? Cfug-1 (Farm A) ,<1.0 102 cfuml-2 to 1.7 106 cfug-1 (Farm B) and 1.0<102 cfuml-1 to 3.1 106 cfug-1 (Farm C). enterobacteriaceae count ranged from < 1.0 102 cfuml-1 to 3.5 106 cfug-1 (Farm A), <1.0 102 cfuml-1 to 1.2 106 cfug-1 (Farm B) and 1.0<102 cfuml-1 to 2.8 106 cfug-1 (Farm C). Total faecal coliforms ranged from <3.0 to 1100.0 most probable number (MPN)ml-1/MPNg-1 for Farm A, B, and C. similarly, E. coli count for all the three farms ranged <3.0 to 1100.0 MPNml-1/MPNg-1. E.coli counts were very low for most pf the samples examined except chicken carcass and faeces. Conclusion: In general, Farm A had higher bacterial count, followed by Farm C and Farm B. This work gives an indication that pathogenic foodborne pathogens such as, E. coli Salmonella Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Shigella and Yersinia spp. may be present in culled chicken layers and consequently pose the risk of causing food poisoning or outbreaks.